UPDATED: Narrative verdict in baby hospital death

A BABY girl died of an infection just eight hours after being born at Southend Hospital.

Jessica Harrison picked up the infection while in her mother Mary-Jayne Harrison's womb.

An inquest at Chelmsford Coroners' Court heard there was a delay of three and a half hours before an emergency Caesarian section was carried out.

Southend Hospital told the court today of the changes it has made since the tragedy on September 30, 2012.

Assistant Coroner Yvonne Blake recorded a narrative verdict.

A doctor was diverted to look after another pregnant woman and an on-call consultant, who was available, was not called out to help.

Jessica's parents Simon and Mary-Jayne, of Woodleigh Avenue, Leigh were in court and gave moving accounts of their thoughts about the night they lost their daughter.

Mr Harrison told the court: “If interventions were made earlier, my opinion is she would be with us today.”

Jacqueline Totterdell, chief executive, said, after the hearing: “We fully understand the distress the loss of a baby brings and once again offer our sincerest condolences to Mr and Mrs Harrison and their family for the grief they have suffered since Jessica’s death in 2012.

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“We have welcomed the opportunity to support the family during this difficult time and reassure them that a full and detailed investigation was carried out at the time by the trust to ensure all lessons from this tragic event were fully learned and shared among our teams.”

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